Children at playgrounds around Leeds are being encouraged to learn sign language as new fun educational boards are installed.
Funded by the National Deaf Children’s Society, two boards have been put up at 10 playgrounds, showcasing the British Sign Language (BSL) fingerspelling alphabet and a selection of helpful words when playing.
Playgrounds include Pudsey Park, Horsforth Hall Park, Bramley Park and Stanningley Park.
Early years can have a profound impact on deaf children’s language and social skills and the aim is that the signs will improve and encourage interaction between all children through playful interaction in the playgrounds.
The grant was awarded as part of a scheme funding community projects that support the communication skills of deaf children.
Bryony Hughes runs Leeds Deaf Children’s Society, which is affiliated with the National Deaf Children’s Society, and was the one to apply for the grant.
She said: “We needed to use the money to improve the communication skills of local deaf children and we thought that putting the signs in parks was a way that we could reach as many families across Leeds as possible
“The aim is that if more people, deaf and hearing, learn some basic BSL then it improves the skills of all involved, and also helps deaf people feel less isolated.
“Our son is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants. When he’s not wearing them, we sign with him and it’s important that he has an additional way of communicating with us, and also with other deaf people.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, and Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “The new signs are a great improvement to the playgrounds, encouraging interaction between all children, deaf and hearing. Learning basic BSL is useful to any person and we’re hoping that this will reach many local families and help them learn a new language.”
Angela Calder, of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Community Grants programme, said: “This was a great idea from Leeds Deaf Children’s Society. We hope the new signs get people talking about British Sign Language and even using a few basic signs. It’s a really powerful way of helping deaf children feel more included.”